Watch a Service

This annual meeting begins with a reminder of the MISSION from the Gospel of Mark chapter 2 that Shores Church has to our community. This also includes WORSHIP and updates from major ministries within the church including: Finances, Spiritual Growth, Servant Teams, & Sunday Services.

All of us have experienced what it’s like to lose your way. Bob Carter shares in this message from 1 John 5 that knowing your purpose will help determine the direction of your life.

This message from Shores Student Lead Joel Gill highlights the tension we all face. Whose voice are we going to listen to? What are we going to let influence us? In a world with so many options, who are you going to follow and depend on?

What if the biggest threat to your relationships isn't an outright fight — it's the quiet, everyday ways you dismiss, avoid, and withhold? This week we dig into Hidden Hatred: what it looks like, why it thrives, and how humility is the only thing that can uproot it.

What if your fear — of the future, of judgment, of not being enough — isn't a wall, but a door? In this message from 1 John 4:18, we explore how perfect love doesn't just comfort our fears, it drives them out. Because you weren't made for security — you were made for love.

We've all seen the movie that loses itself somewhere in the middle of the story. It might start with the best intentions but fails to deliver a consistent story until the end. For 2,000 years the plot has been the same for the church: God's love becomes visible through His people loving each other—our job in Wells, Maine is simply to not lose the plot.

After experiencing God's sacrificial love, Christians are empowered to love others with that same "higher love" - including their enemies - by praying for them and sharing the Gospel with them.

In a world where many voices claim to be Christian and to have authority, how do we decide what is fact or opinion? There is a test that a believer can use to decide if the message is motivated by godliness or something counterfeit.

Ever feel like you're stuck replaying your failures while God has already moved on? You're not alone. When we stumble into sin, our hearts condemn us and put us on a hamster wheel of guilt. But here's the good news: God is greater than your condemning heart. He sees your whole story—your new identity in Christ and the grace that already covers you—while you're stuck replaying one frame of the movie. There's freedom waiting for you.

Remember the older song "More than a Feeling" by the band Boston? What does it look like to really love someone? In a world where the definition of love can be a moving target, what does John's letter to the church of Ephesus show us about love and living it out?

What does it look like to really love someone? In a world where the definition of love can be a moving target, what does John's letter to the church of Ephesus show us about love and living it out?

If someone looked at your life—how you talk, what you scroll, how you treat people—would they be able to tell whose child you are? In 1 John 2-3, we discover that being God's kid isn't just about what we believe, it's about the family resemblance that shows up in how we live.

In a world full of voices competing for your faith, how do you know what's actually true? This message from 1 John 2:18-27 makes the case that authentic Christian community isn't just a nice add-on to your spiritual life — it's one of your greatest defenses against the false gospels, subtle imposters, and counterfeit teachers that have existed since the very first church.

Every kid builds sandcastles that the tide eventually washes away—but what if we're doing the same thing with our lives, chasing consumption, comparison, and comfort that won't last?

A flashlight in the wrong hands doesn't guide anyone home — it just blinds the people around you. In this message from 1 John 2:10-11, we explore how the light we carry is meant to clear the path for others, not spotlight their faults, and why the preferences and opinions we weaponize inside the church may be the very stumbling blocks keeping people from faith. The only stumbling block a Christian should ever own is the cross itself.

Every driver knows to check their blindspots — but most of us never think to do it spiritually. In this message from 1 John 2:7-11, we discover that love isn't just a feeling, it's a spotlight — and the places we're most resistant to examining are usually the ones doing the most damage to the people around us.

Most people go through life assuming they're good enough — but "good enough" compared to what? This week we dig into 1 John 2 and discover that the goal was never to win your own case. Jesus doesn't defend the innocent. He defends the guilty — and that changes everything about how you live.

You can't ruin your image with God — He already knows everything. So why do we keep pretending? This week in 1 John, we look at three ways people quietly sabotage their relationship with God, and why honest confession doesn't destroy your standing before Him — it destroys sin's hold on you.

Walking in the light is not just about words but action.  We want a Monday morning faith and not just a Sunday morning faith. Brennan Manning quote about leading cause of atheism is believers who say one thing but don’t do anything.  Direction not perfection.

We hear so much about following Jesus' moral teachings, being accepted by God, and living our own truths. It can be confusing. 1 John is the first in a series of short letters that will give us insight into how early believers and specifically how the church learned about who Jesus was and what it meant to be a follower of Jesus.

In a world filled with fear, the first Christmas message was clear: "Don't be afraid." Discover what it is about Jesus' birth—Immanuel, God with us—that can help you overcome fear regardless of what's happening around you, and walk away with a practical way to redirect your focus when anxiety hits.

The first Christmas was full of unlikely circumstances: a manger instead of a palace, shepherds instead of scholars, Bethlehem instead of Rome. God specializes in using the overlooked and unexpected—including you—to share the greatest gift ever given

In a world of distraction, the greatest gift we can give the Lord and others is the gift of presence. God went first and showed us what it is to be fully present in our lives.

We all face disappointment during the holidays—missing people, financial pressure, unmet expectations. But the Christmas story shows us another way forward. When we understand that God's promises are actually bigger than our disappointments, something shifts.

Is the largest obstacle to our faith a mindset that we aren't that bad or we are good enough? As we continue the REIGN series we see that there might be a problem with the thinking that "I am not as bad as that other guy" and that could be keeping us from living the life of faith that God wants for us.

In a time where "church" can draw a dozen different reactions and emotions from people, is there a simple place to start to learn about what the church is and isn't? Most of us have an idea, whether from experience or what we've heard, about the purpose of church and what it's all about. There are so many different churches and faiths, what makes a Christian church distinctive? Check out REIGN Week 2 - Jesus and His Church.

Just because you’re bitter doesn't mean you’re broken. Just because it’s dim doesn't mean the light is gone Even though you’ve taken a 1,000 steps in the wrong direction, 1 step in the right direction can start your journey home. Behind every powerful message is a relatable mess. Lament and grief can be the pathway from heartbreak to hope. Every single one of us has a redemption story to tell.

This is more than the “if someone forces you to walk a mile walk two.” This is that God does more than transactional salvation but relationship. The extra mile is that God wants to have a relationship with us and if we’ve been changed by grace, we’ll want that relationship!

What is at the core of loving someone the right way? The answer might surprise you! We discover that PATIENCE is an often overlooked ingredient in living the life God has for us and loving people around us the way He wants us to.

Ever feel like there should be more to life than just surviving? As a Christian the good news is that faith isn't just about a daily walk with God but a future hope. What does it look like to make plans that trust in and rest in God's character?

Even in the darkest of times we can trust that God's Kingdom advances for His good. We see this on display today in a world that seems to be uncertain and chaotic at times, God's people remain committed and moving forward for His good. In this section of Ruth we see an example of God using an ordinary man in the midst of a culture that was filled with immoral characters.

Someone once said that the future is as bright as the promises of God. It can be tough today to see past some of the disturbing and chaotic things we see in the world. We learn that God's grace is more than just an optimism that things can be better, but rather a confidence in life to view all things through God's lens of grace. What kind of confidence in grace could you gain today?

If you've ever seen God provide for you in your life, then you know it can be amazing to see the improbable happen. What if those things in our lives weren't just meant for our good but were meant to share? See how when God provides, He always uses a person, and that person when doing it for God will point people back to the ultimate provider.

Sometimes we get comfortable in seasons that aren't necessarily terrible, but they're not God's best either - they're just stagnant. No growth. What we realize is that sometimes we have to leave decent in order to see a harvest in our lives. If we stay where we are it might not get any worse, but there is no chance at it ever being better.

Many of us can relate to unresolved issues or disappointing life events that leave us hurting. Some of us bottle up our pain and others of us spiral into a place where our grief overwhelms us. What if there is a way to experience a grief that pulls us closer to God and restores our hope in His promises? This week we look at how grief and biblical lament can be a pathway to God healing the pain that we all experience.

In a world where people's actions don't match their words, a reputation matters more than ever. Oftentimes called a "testimony" reputation matters as a believer in Christ, personally and as a church. This week we look at the different spheres of influence our reputation impacts.

We rarely get to where we are supposed to go when we cut corners. It's true when following a recipe and using subbed out ingredients. It's true when driving somewhere and deciding to take your own way. It's true when it comes to living a life that seeks to KNOW GOD. It's tough to end up where God wants you to be when you accept substitutions. What are some ways we can recognize our tendencies to cut corners and how can we stay on track to honor God?

Whoever said "sticks and stones may break my bones but words will never hurt me" clearly didn't understand the power of words. Whether you have said words you wish you could have taken back or been on the receiving end of words that you wish you could forget. We know this: WORDS MATTER. We see from the very beginning of the Book of Ruth that words matter to God and how we use our words matter to our lives and the lives of others.

Just because you’re bitter doesn't mean you’re broken. Just because it’s dim doesn't mean the light is gone Even though you’ve taken a 1,000 steps in the wrong direction, 1 step in the right direction can start your journey home. Behind every powerful message is a relatable mess. Lament and grief can be the pathway from heartbreak to hope. Every single one of us has a redemption story to tell.

All around us there are messages saying we've got to unlock the potential and power inside of us. Jesus said that there is a seed of faith that inside of every believer and that the potential to live for His kingdom is greater than any personal pursuit or interest we could have.

All around us there are messages saying we've got to unlock the potential and power inside of us. Jesus said that there is a seed of faith that inside of every believer and that the potential to live for His kingdom is greater than any personal pursuit or interest we could have.

In a world that often feels broken and uncertain, hope has a name - and that name is Jesus! Easter isn't just a historical event - it's a living reality that brings fresh possibilities to each new day. Easter reminds us that no matter what we're facing, hope isn't just wishful thinking - it's anchored in the risen Christ who defeated death itself. The tomb is empty, but our hearts can be full!

Oftentimes God does things that we don't expect but it turns out it's exactly what is needed. The Triumphal Entry, when Jesus showed Himself a humble king, the people thought they needed one thing, but what Jesus brought was something else. In our lives Hosanna Hope leads us to trust God when it doesn't make sense.

“What is TRUTH?” TRUTH BRINGS HOPE into our lives. Truth allows us to see reality more clearly and even when that truth is DIFFICULT it still provides a solid foundation for an AUTHENTIC HOPE. Even when we face uncomfortable facts directly, we can BULD meaningful plans and expectations based on what IS TRUE.

Someone once said that you can live days without food, water, but you can't go a minute without hope. This Easter season we are going to look and see how HOPE broke into the lives of the people who surrounded Jesus during His life and ministry on earth. NICODEMUS is a lot like us, his HOPE had to grow in an unlikely place.

Everyday we are bombarded with information, messaging, images, requests, demands, and the list goes on. We fill ourselves up with food, drink, entertainment, comforts, and so many other things and in many ways we hope to make ourselves happy. In this final week of Airplane Mode we see that Jesus shows another way to be filled up and it starts with emptying out.

What do you do on the other side of forgiveness? Are there biblical boundaries to place? Is there a possibility of a stronger relationship on the other side? Let's explore what the Bible shares about how we proceed after forgiveness.

Unforgiveness can be described as a weight that we carry around long after an offense. When Jesus taught us the pattern of prayer, forgiveness plays a crucial role in our daily time with God. How much weight are you carrying and who do you need to forgive?

Is God only interested in the spiritual parts of my life? What about the things that I am concerned about, like paying my mortgage, cost of groceries, clothes... you know the everyday stuff. Does God care about that? As we continue to look at what Jesus says about prayer, we learn that God expects us to pray for "daily bread" or the resources we need to do what God wants us to.

Before we ask for the stuff we want. Before we tell God what we need. It's worth asking the question, does what we need line up with the stuff that is necessary to make a difference for God in the world today? Jesus said that we need to pray for God's Kingdom here on earth - what does that mean?

How can we trust God in prayer when things around us seem to be going all wrong? Is God good when things don't seem good? Let's look at three key things that Jesus shows us about prayer that reveal why God is trustworthy and good even when things don't seem good.

We are familiar with the idea or concept of prayer. Connecting with God when we have a need, an emergency, are at the end of our rope. Oftentimes we recognize that there is more but we don't know the steps to developing a prayer life that is MORE THAN a distress signal. Airplane Mode, disconnect to reconnect we see how Jesus instructs us to prepare ourselves for a prayer life that is more than urgency!

It's easy during the holidays to become numb to the experience. So many things to remember, gifts, parties, commercials, shopping, and the lists go on and on. We see at Jesus' birth an example of some who made this birth a point of significance in their life in the midst of the busyness. Let's look at what it takes to break through the indifference and experience significance.

In the busyness of life, our prayers can serve an opportunity to slow down and Thank God for what we do have. Everyday we can be thankful for what we have in life and who God is to us in all seasons. Learn how the narrative Christmas encourages us to be more thankful

Seasons greetings can feel heavy when we are dealing with the unexpected or difficult. We look at the very first Christmas, the circumstances around Jesus' birth were at best non-traditional but in the midst of these difficult circumstances we see 2 people's example of faith in God's purpose for their lives! Check out the Unexpected Prayer this Holiday season to see WHAT God can do in your life during the unexpected.

How can the faith, practice and daily living of the first church help me live today? There are distinctive practices that are not only relevant today in our culture but also will add value to your faith. Comparing THEN to NOW and what it teaches us on this special BAPTISM SUNDAY.

What does the first message preached in Acts tell us about engaging our culture today? See how, from the very beginning of the church the mission has been to meet people where they are and make the way clear to Jesus.

Trouble making a decision? Ever wondered if there is a process for making a choice during pivotal, high-pressure moments. We see in Week 2 of SENT that there is a pattern for decision making that rests on the authority of Scripture. Learn about the authenticity and credibility of Scripture, and how that can impact the decisions you make today!

What does breakfast cereal have to do with the early church? Week 1 of SENT, a study out of Acts 1 & 2 kicks off looking at the original intent of Jesus for those who followed Him. Is the church an Institution or a movement? Find out!

Even when you know all of the steps to a problem, you need the discipline to stick with until the solution. The SERVICEABLE HEART is when you are committed to the long haul of living for God. Sound impossible? Well there are 4 things that you need to have in order to stick with it for the long haul!

Shores Church is a contemporary Christian church that exists to KNOW JESUS and MAKE HIM KNOWN on the southern coast of Maine, US. We hope that this content encourages you and if you don’t already have a faith community you will join us online at Shores Church on Facebook or in person.

Do you want to know what it's like to have a close relationship with God? This week, we look at the Habit of Solitude with the thought - You can't BUSY yourself to God.

THE HEART, a summer mini-series at Shores Church, tackles 5 Habits that will change your life! The second habit is for more than just DAD but for all of us. What if the STUFF that we have is keeping us from the LIFE that we want?

Graduating Seniors had a moment being celebrated. Family members shared their appreciation and love for their students, and the church got to hear their stories. More than rooting on our students, we want them to know they are loved and prayed for.

We kicked off our summer mini-series, "THE HEART," with a message from the Psalms called "The Habit that Heals."

There is an IT factor when it comes to the church. There are so many things that the early church was described by and so many of those words are not how the church would be described today. What if YOU, what if YOUR church were known by IT - by being relentlessly good to those around you.

Remember when things were built to last? They were constructed with integrity and attention to detail with the finest materials available. The key to a church and its integrity is when there is the tension of bearing each other during life's difficulty.

We've all seen the fallout from a lack of self-control. Whether it's personally, in business, or in friendships, we can't approach everything with a cavalier attitude or harsh actions. Let's look at the attributes that the Holy Spirit grows in someone that leads to healthy relationships. Some might call this “the one with the rubber band.”

Back in the time that this was written, faithfulness meant something more than what we consider faith to be now. Faithfulness was the idea that someone was entirely trustworthy. They were trustworthy with their word, action, and character. Faith is more than what you believe, but how you live. Check out “You’ve Gotta Have Faith” and if you’ve got the song in your head, we’re SORRY!

You can tell a tree by its fruit. You can tell a lot about yourself by what you see characterizing your attitudes and actions in life. We will look at three aspects of what God produces in the life of someone who depends on Him for their attitudes and actions.

Is faith supposed to be intangible? Can a person know if you are walking a path that God has for them? Turns out living out your faith is a lot like an orchard.. like the good orchards that have cider donuts.. that kind of orchard!

Have you ever heard that a Christian is "free" in Christ? Do you wonder what that freedom is meant to be or what it is for? NO OTHER NAME continues with "Free for What?" Galatians 5:1-15

Certain things in life are meant to be together - like Peanut Butter & Fluff (or jelly) or snow and Christmas. What happens, though, when you put two things together that were never meant to be combined? In our faith lives, mixing a few different ideas and practices together can lead to confusion and hurt, ultimately impacting your walk with God. The NO OTHER NAME series from Galatians continues with "OIL & WATER."

In our lives, truth has the ability to both build up and destroy. To be an effective truth teller, there is a posture we can take that will increase the likelihood of being heard and the truth being of help to the other person. There are also ways that we can become more receptive to truth in our life.

In a world where we are always looking to get ahead, waiting on something promised can be frustrating. When it comes to faith there are promises today and promises for tomorrow, and you can learn how to trust both.

There is a promise in the Bible that through faith we have become Sons and Daughters of God. The intentional and personal relationship a child has specifically with a father, but also with a mother, impacts all future relationships and especially how we see God our Heavenly Father. During this service we explore the impact of an improper view of a father can ruin our ability to see God clearly and trust Him deeply, and a way to start learning to trust Him personally.

Why does the world seem so graceless sometimes? Belittling, fighting, bashing others. It is so difficult to understand. There is a weight we all carry to be right all the time, a weight to be perfect if not just to avoid getting called out. Jesus offers us relief from the weight and it's called GRACE.

Cross your heart?? Pinky swear? Scouts Honor? Ever made a promise or had a promise broken? PROMISES and trust are crucial to life. What do we know about God's Promises and how does that impact our own personal character?

Hypocrisy plagues all of us. As much as we don't like to admit it, we all have a tendency to be hypocrites in our lives. It might surprise you to hear what the cure is!

Who and what can we trust? What influencers and influence do we let into our lives? What influences our daily actions and faith? This week the idea of what drives or influences us is front and center.

Why is it so important to be consistent with the Gospel? Paul talks about the time where him and the other Apostles in Jerusalem needed to confirm they were on the same page. The future of the Church counts on it!

YOU... YES YOU... YOU have something that the world needs! Each of us has something that God set aside for US to accomplish with our lives, and it is up to us to discover it and live for it. There is a pattern to each mission God has ever given someone to accomplish - discover what YOURS LOOKS LIKE during this service.

50% of us deal with the same problem... People pleasing. The tendency to treat others in a way that seeks to protect or promote ourselves, and places others in the position of god in our lives. Permission to Disappoint explores Galatians 1:10-12 and some basic principles to help us disentangle ourselves from people-pleasing tendencies.

What happens when we get untethered from the foundation of our faith and Jesus? Our faith can drift and take not only our beliefs but our lives in a direction that God never intended for us. Learn how to identify the markers of the drift, misleading beliefs that can mess with our foundations, and what to do to keep your anchor secure!

How do you know if a message is the REAL DEAL or BIG TALK? In life we hear 100's of messages from so many different sources. How do we know what voices to listen to? In the first week of NO OTHER NAME we see how to validate the source and back up a message.

Celebrate Easter morning with us at Shores Church! What was that first morning like? What did all of these first person witnesses DO that day? How will their experiences influence our GO & TELL stories?

If you've ever questioned what is on the other side of doubt, this message is for you. If you've ever faced the door of doubt, consider this your invitation to push it open and see what God can do.

When is it time for a Quiet Christian to make some noise. Can a quiet Christian forever remain silent? You can follow an uncoventional path and still make a big difference for God. Let’s look at Joseph and see how he ended up choosing faith over fear and how it made all the difference in the Easter story.

The SHOW MUST GO ON! While this might be the tried and true mantra for performers through the years, there is something special when you consider those who chose to follow Jesus even when they saw Him go to the cross. Why was Mary Magdalene so committed, and what made her the perfect choice to be the first eyewitness?

What is THE most important thing when it comes to Christianity and the faith? John Lowrie opened up the Easter People series with a profile of Paul. The disciple “born out of due time,” Paul recites the resurrection story as one of the oldest creeds in Christianity. The different things that come from the resurrection being the truth and central to the gospel.

The conclusion to the Lord's Prayer helps us realize something about ourselves. Whether we are prayer warriors or just on the starting line of our prayer journey, there is still a lot to learn for all of us. The temptation to go into auto pilot and drift off course is real for all of us. How do we stay the course?

What is the true cost of unforgiveness? We've all experienced the sting of hurt and the domino effect of unresolved pain. In this message, we explore the relationship between debt, debtors, and the art of letting go.

What happens when God doesn't answer your prayers? Have you ever given up, quit praying, been tempted to throw in the towel when your cries for help go unfulfilled? Before you give up, quit, or get angry, let's look at what Jesus said about asking God for our needs.

How do we make God's Kingdom priorities a part of our daily lives? This message discusses God's wants and desires for our actions here on earth being influenced by Heavenly values.

What we believe about God the Father will directly impact our ability to talk to Him in prayer. So what kind of Father is He? How can we approach God in prayer and be close while still respecting His greatness? A look at God's love found in Jesus' description of the kind of Father He is.

How do you teach someone something if they already know how to do it? Jesus gives us an example of how to teach a group of seasoned praying people that there are certain prayers God won't hear. In "Don't Pray (Like That)" Jesus lays a foundation for the prayers that God hears, and it starts with a God who SEES, HEARS, and KNOWS you.